Cannon Hall facts for kids
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Cannon Hall is a beautiful country house museum located near the villages of Cawthorne and High Hoyland. It's about 5 miles (8 km) west of Barnsley in South Yorkshire, England.
This historic building was once the home of the Spencer family and later the Spencer-Stanhope family. Today, it's a museum filled with amazing collections of old furniture, paintings, ceramics, and glassware. You can also find the "Family of Artists" exhibition here. This special display is on loan from the De Morgan Foundation and shows the connections between the Spencer-Stanhopes and the De Morgans.
The building itself is made from sandstone with a grand, balanced design. It has a tall, central part with three floors and five sections. On each side, there are slightly smaller two-story wings with three sections.
Contents
Exploring Cannon Hall's Past
How Cannon Hall Got Its Name
Even though there was a house on this spot way back in 1086 (when the Domesday Book was written), Cannon Hall got its current name much later. It was named after Gilbert Canun, who lived there in the 1200s.
By the late 1300s, the Bosville family from Ardsley, South Yorkshire owned Cannon Hall. During their time, a dramatic event happened at the Hall. The Bosvilles had rented the house to another family. The daughter of this family was involved with a man named Lockwood. Lockwood was wanted by the law for a serious crime. The tenant family was worried about having a fugitive in their home, so they told the Bosvilles. Men sent by the Bosvilles arrived at Cannon Hall, where the wanted man was found and captured.
The Spencer Family Takes Over
After this exciting episode, Cannon Hall's history became much calmer. In 1660, John Spencer bought the estate. He was a hay-rake maker from Wales. The Spencer family had moved to Yorkshire from the Welsh borders. This area was safer for people who supported the King, like the Spencers. John Spencer even received a special pardon from King Charles II after facing some legal trouble.
The Spencer family became very involved in the local iron and coal industries. John Spencer (who passed away in 1729) especially helped the family build a huge business empire. This success allowed them to pay for the rebuilding of Cannon Hall.
Building the Grand Hall We See Today
The main part of the Cannon Hall we see today was built in the early 1700s for John Spencer Stanhope. It's thought that John Etty of York might have designed it. We know for sure that William Thornton, a skilled local craftsman, did the beautiful wooden work inside.
Later, between 1764 and 1767, the famous architect John Carr added wings to the building. These wings were later made taller, giving the Hall its impressive, solid look. The last family member to own the house, Elizabeth, sold it to Barnsley Council in 1951. Cannon Hall Museum first opened its doors to the public in 1957.
What's Happening at Cannon Hall Now?
Cannon Hall Museum, its park, and gardens are managed by Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council. The Hall always has fun events happening. These include an annual Regency Ball, a Christmas Fair every December, and guided tours. They also offer workshops and activities especially for children throughout the year. You can also find a florist, plant, and gift shop in the old potting shed building near the walled garden.
Beautiful Gardens and Special Plants
The large park around the Hall was designed in the 1700s by Richard Woods. It features many acres of green space, lovely lakes, sparkling waterfalls, and interesting structures called follies. There are also great views across the landscape.
The Victorian pleasure grounds are close to the Georgian walled garden. This garden is home to a special collection of over forty different types of pear trees, along with many other plants.
The central glasshouses, rebuilt in the Victorian era, also house the original Cannon Hall Muscat grapevine. It's said that this grape grew from a seed brought back from Greece by John Spencer Stanhope. This large, white table grape has been grown widely in places like California and Western Australia. It has also been used to create new types of grapes, including the Japanese Pione grape.
The De Morgan Foundation Exhibition
In March 2016, Cannon Hall Museum started working with the De Morgan Foundation. This foundation is a charity that protects the artworks of William De Morgan and Evelyn De Morgan. Together, they opened a long-term exhibition called "Family of Artists" in the east wing of the Museum.
See also
- Grade II* listed buildings in South Yorkshire
- Listed buildings in Cawthorne
- Cannon Hall Farm
